Cooking Food Recipe

Ways of Using Everyday Spices For Cooking

2010-01-11T11:01:00.000Z

By K Hupp

Many people prefer trying out different spices as they are preparing dinner. Spices will add flavor to a plain dish and make it delicious rather than ordinary. Not cooking with right spice may also wreck a entire dish in a few seconds. This covers several common ingredients and the complimentary dishes they are most suited to.

Bay leaves are best used in lots of types of foods. Bay leaves are also perfect to use in soups like beef soup and tuna chowder. They compliment most fish. Bay leaves also go great with most meats, including beef, veal, pot roast and boiled ham. For fowl dishes, their best uses are for boiled chicken, game and stews. Bay leaves will often give regular ordinary foods such as onion, boiled potatoes and green beans a special taste. Add a few to your next homemade marinade for a great flavor.

Cinnamon is a useful spice stored in many kitchen shelves. Use cinnamon with fruit salad or added to fresh fruit. Cinnamon also goes well with fish patties or casseroles, as well as pork, ham and lamb. A little cinnamon dusted fried chicken is yummy. It adds to vegetables also, usually when used with sweet potatoes, yams and winter squash. One may also decide cinnamon in ham and lamb sauces. I don't want to forget to add desserts to the most common uses for cinnamon. It is great when added in baked goods, and hot beverages.

Cloves can be overwhelming if not used sparingly, but it is surely one of my most favorite spices. It is a delight when used along with fruit cocktail or speckled on peaches and apples. Cloves also works great with soups like beef and bean. Cloves compliments ham and pork. You can add cloves when planning to cook vegetables. Many types of vegetables are made interesting by adding a little cloves. Breads and muffins, peaches, custards and hot drinks are all perfect picks for the addition of cloves.

Garlic is all-purpose as far as ingredients go. Use garlic in dips, cheese spreads and vegetable type drinks. Try it in stews as well as vegetable soup or pork soup. Garlic goes well with all varieties of poultry meals, as well as a large number of baked meals. It can be a wonderful addition for many vegetables, as well as when used with most white sauces and meat gravy. Baked goods such as rolls and bread benefit from it too.

Oregano is a long time favorite. Mix oregano with vegetable juices, tomato juice, pizza sauce and cheese spreads. Oregano is also perfect for vegetable soups. It also works great with stuffing for fish and works great with eggs. Oregano is a splendid choice of spice to use with a variety of meats. Swiss steak, stuffings and meatloaf all are better because of the addition of oregano. It can also be added to white potatoes, peas, cabbage, onions, spinach and green beans for a special dish. Oregano is nearly always used for pizza and spaghetti sauce.

Paprika is best when added to spreads and on fresh vegetables. It also adds to vegetable soups, all types of chowder and beef stock. One can use paprika with all varieties of fish dishes. It goes well with hard boiled eggs, too. It also goes well with pork, in ham gravy, and along with poultry. Add a little paprika with potatoes and cauliflower. Put a little paprika on any kind of salad as a garnish. One might also add it to gravies of all kinds.

Parsley is mostly known for its use as a garnish, but parsley is also great when added in broths, with all types of fish, and in cheese casseroles. Cheese omelets do well with the addition of parsley. Parsley compliments many meat dishes too. Lamb, pork, veal and steak are a few of the main choices. Add it in white foods and poultry stuffings, as well as an addition to creamed peas and potatoes.

Thyme tastes good in tomato juice and cocktails. It is surprisingly good with chowders and soups. Use a little thyme with fish dinners. Adding a bit of thyme to meat dishes or stuffings easily turns them from bland to superb. One might also put some thyme in lightly cooked beans and potatoes.

Don't be put off by picking your favorite herbs and spices while planning a meal. You may develop something fantastic.

K. Hupp enjoys cooking and gardening. Visit Mens Electric Shavers http://mens-electric-shavers.org/ for information about the Norelco Electric Shaver to make an informed decision on your next purchase.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K_Hupp

Three Traditional Spanish Recipes

2010-01-04T16:39:00.000Z

By Patrick Carpen

Spanish food is very diverse in flavor. The wide variety found in Spanish recipes is largely due to the geographical differences in the country. Most dishes are based on what is available in the area, which is why most recipes include seafood and fresh vegetables-available all over the country. In this article I am including three of my favorite authentic Spanish recipes that are likely to be found in many Spanish homes!

Lamb Casserole

Ingredients:

2 lbs lamb chops (cut into pieces)
6 1/2 tbsp olive oil
6 potatoes (peeled and sliced)
3 large tomatoes (sliced)
1 onion (chopped)
1tbsp chopped parsley
4 garlic cloves (whole and unpeeled)
2 bay leaves
1 tsp paprika
1 1/4 cups white wine
1 green pepper (seeded and cut into thin strips)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Pour the oil into a roasting pan. Create a layer of potatoes in the bottom of the pan, followed by a layer of onions and a layer of tomatoes. Place the lamb on top of the layers and arrange the green pepper strips, garlic cloves, chopped parsley, and bay leaves on top of the lamb chops. Top with another layer of onions and tomatoes, then season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour the white wine on top of everything and place the casserole dish in an oven preheated to 355 degrees F. Cook for about 2 hours, or until the meat is thoroughly cooked.

Spanish Omelette

Ingredients:

4 eggs
1 lb potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)
Olive oil for frying
Salt to taste

Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the potatoes and a bit of salt. Fry until the potatoes are golden in color, then remove them from the frying pan onto a paper towels to drain the excess grease. In a bowl, beat together the eggs with a pinch of salt. When the eggs are well beaten, add in the potatoes. Put two spoonfuls of oil into the frying pan to coat the bottom and heat the oil until hot. Add the egg and potato mixture to the pan, gently shaking the pan as you do so. When the bottom of the omelette seems cooked, place a plate on top of the skillet and flip it over. When the omelette slides out, add a bit more oil to the skillet, then place the less-cooked side of the omelette face-down onto the skillet. Cook until the bottom is fully cooked, then flip the omelette onto a serving plate. May be eaten either hot or cold. Is delicious with ketchup or salsa for dipping!

Churros with Chocolate

Ingredients:

1 cup water
3 1/4 tbsp sunflower oil
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup flour
8 tbsp dark chocolate
4 1/4 cups milk
1 tbsp cornflour
4 tbsp sugar
Powdered sugar
Oil for deep frying

Directions:

Add the water, oil, and salt to a saucepan and bring to a boil. One the mixture is boiling, reduce to a low heat and add the flour. Beat the mixture together until it forms a ball, then remove it from the heat. Heat the oil in a pot or deep fryer. Use an icing syringe (or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off) to pipe thick strips about 4 inches in length into the oil. Allow them to fry until they are golden brown. When you remove the churros from the oil, place them onto paper towels to drain the excess grease. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. To make the chocolate, place the chocolate and 2 and 1/8 cups of milk into a sauce pan over a low heat. Dissolve the cornflour in the remaining milk, then pour into the sauce pan along with the sugar. Stir constantly until the mixture has thickened. Whisk the chocolate until it is smooth, then serve in a dipping bowl.

If you're looking for recipes, take a look at the Platinum Recipes Collection. The Platinum Recipes Collection is the Internet's Most Comprehensive Recipes Collection.
http://www.platinumrecipescollection.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_Carpen

Mexican Recipes

2009-12-28T12:16:00.000Z

By Shveta Kumar

Mexican recipes reflect colourfulness, a tone of festivity and variety in flavours. The warm climatic conditions and ethnic differences of the region have a played a key role in shaping cooking habits.

Past conquests have a led to a considerable influence of Spanish cooking. While its roots lies in the local staples of the Mayan Indians of the Yucatan Peninsula.

The staples of a Mexican diet include

Tortillas a type of pancake made from wheat or maize flour. The versatility of the tortilla as a wrap is endless. Tortillas can be used as a taco, tostada.

They all are topped or filled with a variety of stuffing's both vegetarian and meat based and served usually with a dipping sauce such as guacamole, salsa, chipotle etc.

Chipotle Bean Dip

These are smoked jalapeno chili peppers also known as 'chili ahumado'. These chillies are usually a dull greyish tan to coffee colour and measure 2-4 inches in length and 1 inch breath.

1 tbsp - Olive oil

3/4 cup - Black beans/pinto beans drained

1/4 cup - Rice (white or brown) cooked

1 No - Spring white onions finely diced

2 tbsp - Chipotle Tabasco sauce

2 No - Garlic clove minced

1/2 tsp - Parsley leaves minced

Salt to taste

Bring a pot of water to boil add the rice and cook till tender.

Wash rinse and soak the beans overnight.

Bring a pot of water to boil add the beans and bay leaf simmer and cook till tender. Drain and set aside. Alternatively, steam in a pressure cooker.

Heat oil in a pan add onion, garlic and cook.

Add the beans and seasoning and mix well.

Stir in the chipotle sauce.

Add over rice. Garnish with lettuce and serve.

To view more articles on vegetarianism visit my website
http://www.simply-vegetarian-recipes.com/

Been a vegetarian through out my life and since I have had a keen interest in cooking I have come up with several recipes across cuisines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shveta_Kumar

Best Raw Cookie Recipe - Free Raw Recipe

2009-12-18T15:14:00.000Z

by Helen Hecker

I have tried many raw cookie recipes over the years but haven't found many that were good. Usually the cookies were tart, never really sweet enough. Certainly not like I ate growing up when we used sugar and fats.

I did some experimenting and found the cookie base was the problem. I experimented with various fruits, nuts and seeds and came up with a combination that worked and will hold together. When I serve these cookies, no one knows they are not cooked. They are raw, alive, healthy, and easy to make. With all the enzymes, nutrients, vitamins and minerals, etc. No harmful, fats or sugars. Nothing but goodness.

For this easy free raw recipe, you'll need a dehydrator. Usually the Excalibur brand is used by raw food chefs however there are others. Dehydrators with the fan in back are best, but any will work, just keep the temperature very low.

Equipment: A dehydrator and you'll need a food processor.

Now for the raw fruit cookie recipe:

Ingredients, soaked sunflower seeds, Jonagold apples, bananas, Medjool dates, walnuts, raisins, vanilla and cinnamon

You'll need to soak 2 cups of sunflower seeds overnight, drain and rinse. Set aside for a while to sprout - up to 2 hours or so. Seeds get bitter if soaked a long time.

Best Raw Cookie Recipe

2 cups sunflower seeds, soaked

2 Jonagold apples or other sweet apples, but Jonagold work best

2 ripe organic bananas

4 Medjool dates, pitted

1 cup walnuts

1 cup raisins

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. cinnamon

Place the walnuts in the food processor and process and pulse until you have partly very small chunks and partly very fine granular pieces. Empty food processor and set aside.

Place in the food processor: the cored Jonagold apples with peel on, bananas, pitted dates, raisins. Mix together, but not too long. Then add the walnuts and lightly mix. Then slowly add the soaked, rinsed and drained sunflower seeds along with the vanilla and cinnamon. Mix together until mixed but not too long.

Using a spring-action ice cream scoop place the cookie mixture on teflex sheets and press down lightly until about 1/2 inch thick or so. You'll need 2-3 teflex sheets depending on the size of your cookie.

Place in the dehydrator at about 95 to 105 degrees or so for about 6 hours and then turn over by using another teflex sheet and tray on top and flipping over. Pull sheet back. Dehydrate for several more hours - at least 8 hours or so. I like them a little soft. If too soft, then dehydrate longer. Store in airtight jar in the refrigerator. Ummmm- eat!

This is the best raw cookie recipe - healthy, alive and loaded with good nutrition. Great for the kids. They are not the kind of cookies that cause you to gain weight. These are so good for snacks and to take with you when you leave home instead of taking along expensive food bars. You can save lots of money on bars by making these cookies. Filling too. A truly healthy raw recipe.

About the Author

For my easy raw food recipes go to http://www.RecipesRaw.com & for my raw food diet cure and secrets - how I used it to help cure my breast cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, acid reflux, digestive issues, headaches, pain, weight loss - see a nurse/raw food expert's http://www.RawFoodDietCure.com

Homemade Meals

2009-01-22T15:14:00.007Z

By : Christine Steendahl

Home cooking is adored by many. Almost everyone has their favorite home cooked recipe. And while more and more Americans eat out every year, there truly is no substitute for home cooked meals.

Home cooked meals are favored by almost everyone for several reasons. First off, no one cares more about your food than your own family. For instance, your mother will only serve you the very best food available. A fast food restaurant or casual dining restaurant will usually serve you something cheap or processed. Most restaurants can’t compare to the TLC in every home cooked meal.

In addition, with home cooked meals, you can quickly create meals that fit your specific tastes. Don’t like salt, not a problem, any other spice you like can be added to accomodate your taste preferences. If you are trying to eat healthy, you can choose the specific types of food and the amounts of each food in your dish. Some of today’s meals served at restaurants include so many preservatives food colorings, etc, you would probably run out of the restaurant if you saw the list of ingredients in a single meal.

For those that love homemade cooking, here are two of my favorite comfort foods; Grilled Cheese and Savory Meatloaf.

Homemade Grill Cheese
4 Slices of thick cut white bread
4 slices of American Cheese (I prefer Kraft yellow singles)
½ stick of butter
Salt to taste

In a non-stick frying pan, melt the butter carefully and heat the frying pan on a low to medium flame. Place two slices of bread onto the butter and gently toast a drop. Now set two slices of cheese on one slice of bread and cover with the other slice. Turn over the grilled cheese sandwich a few times till its nice and golden brown. Serve hot. This recipe yields two sandwiches.

Savory Meatloaf
Meatloaf is one of my favorite dishes. Not only is it a hearty dish that easily satisfies an entire family, but it also tastes awesome. There are many ways to create the ideal home cooked meatloaf, such as adding minced onions, chili, etc. Below is an easy, yet delicious recipe for Savory Meatloaf which is sure to please your entire family and is easy to make.

Ingredients:
2 pounds of ground hamburger beef
½ cup of Italian bread crumbs
1 egg beaten
1 can of French onion soup
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large bowl, blend the beef with the bread crumbs, egg and can of soup. Mold into a loaf. Bake in an oven for about 1 hour at 350 degrees F. Once complete you can top with ketchup, chili or even barbecue sauce. One tip is to make a Meatloaf Mashed Potato Pie. Prepare mashed potatoes, bake the meatloaf completely and then layer the mashed potatoes over the loaf and continue baking for about 10 to 15 minutes warming the mashed potatoes.
Author Resource - For a large collection of family friendly home cooking recipes visit Click Here For More Details!

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Cooking Food Recipe

2008-09-15T15:47:00.002+01:00

Cooking Food Recipe

2008-08-01T18:51:00.003+01:00

Salmon Recipes: Valuable Source Of Omega-3 And The Ultimate Gastronomical Delight! by Betty Mouat

Salmon Recipes have emerged as a hot favorite among countless fish-food lovers across the globe. If you are looking to include some flavorsome dishes in your diet but dont want to gain weight, salmon recipes are definitely the best option!

Salmon recipes are amazingly tasty and high in nutritional levels. Salmon recipes are rich in protein and contain the essential fats, or rather, the good fats�. Surprisingly, a certain amount of salmon can fulfill your entire days Vitamin D requirement. In fact, salmon is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are the real players behind the high nutritional-value present in this delectable food-item.

Salmon can be cooked in a number of ways. A salmon recipe can be grilled or prepared in various methods. However, a salmon recipe tastes best if cooked with fresh salmon. Fresh salmon can be identified by their clear eyes and clean red or pink gills. Salmon recipes can be prepared with farmed salmon and canned salmon as well.

Salmon recipes offer the most striking variety when compared to other fish. Some of the most popular salmon recipes are discussed in this article. Sockeye Red Salmon is one of the most popular choices from the Salmon family when it comes to preparing delicious and healthy salmon recipes. The chief ingredients of one particular dish are sockeye salmon fillets; some special pre-made sauces such as Yoshidas Gourmet Sauce, a zip lock bag (large), aluminum foil and a small wire grill. Marinate the fish, cook on the grill and then wrap in the aluminum foil when you serve.

Salmon Dip is another popular salmon recipe. It is prepared with some sour cream, a little butter, 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped), 2 tablespoon pepper, 1 can salmon skinned and bones-removed, grated onions and some dried dill weed. Put all the ingredients together, leaving the fish, and mix with an electric mixer to make a smooth paste. Then, put in the salmon and dill. Next, cover up this salmon recipe and refrigerate until you serve.

An interesting aspect of salmon recipes is that since the preparation of the dish involves an oily fish, most recipes include a variety of sauces, rub and marinades. Moreover, at times salmon recipes are covered with pesto or are served with limejuice toppings as well. Dill is the most common herb consumed along with salmon, together with several vegetables and mushrooms.

One delicious salmon recipe with dill as the primary ingredient is the Grilled Dilled Salmon recipe. The ingredients of this recipe are Salmon fillets, sweetener or brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, a bunch of fresh dill, vegetable oil, pepper, olive oil and salt to taste. Put some sweetener on the salmon, followed by adequate amount of salt and vinegar. Then put enough olive oil on the chopped dill with some added salt and black pepper. Toss the entire preparation and wrap the fish with the dill, marinate it for at least half an hour; you can even keep it overnight. Heat the grill and oil it well. With the skin side down, put the salmon on the grill. Cook it till it turns opaque or obtains the shape you require. Make sure the fish is cooked properly. Interestingly, this particular salmon recipe contains about only 1-gram of carbohydrate, with essentials proteins, fiber, and calories in it.

Another special salmon recipe for all lovers of baked-food is Oven Baked Salmon with Herbs�. In this dish, the chief ingredients are salmon filet, some fresh herbs, a bit of pepper, 1-tablespoon oil, and some salt. Remove all the bones from the fish and season it with some oil on both sides. Get the herb finely chopped and mix it with some salt and pepper. Heat the oven to 200 F and put the fish on it. Remember to smear some oil on the platter too. Bake it for almost 45 minutes and then serve with homemade sauces. This salmon recipe brings you the essential amount of protein and calories with practically no carbs.

Now, since salmon is rich in Omega-3 fats and is affirmed as a nutritious food, salmon recipes surely have great value! Salmon also contains B12, niacin, and selenium and is high on B6 and magnesium. On the other hand, calcium content is rich in canned salmon. Moreover, intake of salmon recipes helps to bring down inflammation, which again helps you to prevent certain serious diseases such as diabetes, heart-diseases, arthritis and many types of cancer. Additionally, the Omega-3 fats present in the fish assists in avoiding strokes, preventing blood-clots and bring down aggression and depression.

So, are you ready to feast on mouthwatering salmon recipes and lead a healthier life?

About the Author

SalmonRecipes.net is an online collection of over 700 delicious salmon recipes provided by some of the worlds top chefs.

Cooking Food Recipe

2008-06-03T16:37:00.002+01:00

Getting Kids Cooking by Shauna Hanus

Getting your kids to help in the kitchen is a bear for most parents. Just as any mom or dad knows playing is simply more fun than kitchen duties. For my kids the end of dinner is always a time to complain, mope and have the need for an "emergency" bathroom break.

Then once the dishes are done off they go to hide from the dreaded chore maker until its time to read a story or play a game.

Just recently a miracle happened in my kitchen, my seven year old cooked. I am not talking about pouring a bowl of cereal or stirring the noodles I mean she really cooked.

This particular afternoon I had been sitting at my computer working on my latest cookbook about leftover turkey when I got the urge to cook. I got up and went down to the kitchen to see what could be whipped up with what was on hand.

This is when she came in. She asked if she could help and instead of my usual list of get this from the fridge or do this I simply said do you want to do it. She said "you mean I can cook it all". When I said yes she was hooked.

That afternoon we invented a recipe for sweetened pecan cinnamon custard. I must caution you the resulting recipe was terrible. No one ate it, but my seven year old declared that she 'sure was happy when I let her do all of it'.

Now that you know the trick here is a fun and easy recipe that kids like and will get your kids away from the TV and into the kitchen.

Muddy Crescent Dogs

One can of package crescent rolls 8 hot dogs, preferably good tasting hot dogs Ketchup

Instruct your child to turn the oven on to 350º Fahrenheit. Remember kids still need help with the oven. I was nine when I caught my mother's oven on fire, but that's another story.

Have your child get out a cookie sheet.

Next have your child open the can of crescent rolls. If this is his/her first time opening the crescent rolls warn them that the can may make a loud noise when it first opens. The loud "pop" always sends my youngest into a fit of laughter when her sister squeals.

Now have your child roll out each of the crescents on the cookie sheet.

Now have your child open the package of hot dogs. Once open have him/her place one hot dog on each crescent.

Now comes the mud. Instruct you child to cover each hot dog with "mud", the ketchup, let him/her know the more the messier so go for it.

Have your child roll up the crescent rolls around the hot dogs and place them in the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until browned.

This is such an easy recipe for kids and if we parents remember to let them do it all they will have such a great time that maybe just maybe someday they will cook us dinner.

About the Author

Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating easy gourmet recipes for the everyday cook. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful meals that are easy to make and easy to eat.

She is also the publisher of numerous cookbooks and runs Gourmayeats a foodie website dedicated to the everyday gourmet. To learn more about Shauna and see her latest cookbook visit her website at http:/www.goarticles.com/

Cooking Food Recipe

2008-04-28T12:28:00.003+01:00

Meal Planning Saves Time And Money by Toni Scott

What's for dinner? It's the first thing I hear when my kids get home from school. On a bad day, I don't have a clue. I've forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer to thaw or I didn't have anything particular in mind for weeknight dinners when I bought groceries that week.

Things are much easier when I take the time to make a plan. The best way I've found is to make a "menu calendar." I start by asking my family what they'd like to eat that week. Inevitably the 9 year-old pipes up, "I want spaghetti!" The teenager always wants Fettuccini Alfredo, and my husband normally doesn't care (as long as there's meat involved!). Honestly, my kids would be thrilled if we had pasta every day, but personally, I'd like a little more variety.

I start with a list of my family's favorite meats, poultry and seafood (ground beef, chicken breasts, pork chops, and shrimp, for example). Then I match each to a favorite recipe, making sure the recipe isn't too time consuming (remember, these are mainly weeknight meals). A typical list may look like this:

Spaghetti and Meatballs Grilled Chicken Breasts Italian Meatloaf Pork Chops Veracruz Shrimp and Veggie Stirfry

Then, to round things out, I add in favorite side dishes and/or accompaniments that are easy, quick, and "mostly" healthy. Fresh veggies are great when they're in season, but good quality frozen veggies can taste just as good.

Spaghetti and Meatballs Garlic Bread Mixed Salad

Grilled Chicken Breasts Grilled Zucchini Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Italian Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes Green Beans

Pork Chops Veracruz Brown Rice Glazed Carrots

Shrimp and Veggie Stirfry (It's all there--a one dish meal!)

I assign each meal to a day of the week. This can be handwritten or typewritten and attached to the fridge with magnets, or penciled in on a family calendar in the kitchen. Just make sure it's in a place where everyone in the family can see "What's for Dinner!"

Then I take a quick inventory of my fridge, pantry, and freezer, and add all of the ingredients that I don't have on hand to my grocery list.

Remember, you can adjust the meal calendar to the number of days you cook each week. Sometimes I only have time to cook three days a week, especially during the school year when the kids have lots of after-school activities. My kids love to see a "Take Out" or "Eat Out" day on the meal calendar.

This may seem like a time-consuming process, but I promise, once you get the hang of it you'll be able to knock all of this out in about 15 minutes. And you won't believe the time and stress it will save you in the long-run. No more last minute trips to the grocery store because you don't have the ingredients on hand for a meal.

Less wilted and ruined produce in the vegetable bin that you didn't get around to cooking. Besides, you only have to do this twice a month. Crank out two weekly menu calendars and alternate them within a month.

About the Author

Toni Tanner-Scott, Personal Chef and Cooking Coach. http://www.DinnerMadeSimple.com

Saving Money By Making Your Own Bread Is Easy!

2008-02-23T18:11:00.002Z

by Susanne Myers

Have you seen the price of bread lately? It's enough to make one wonder if it wouldn't be cheaper to make your own. You know what? It is! For the cost of a typical loaf of bread (between $2-$4), you can make more than one loaf of homemade goodness. A large bag of bread flour can make quite a few loaves with a handful of other ingredients.

You'll need some yeast, salt, sugar, milk, water, oil and maybe an egg or two, depending on your chosen recipe.

When you're at the grocery store, take a moment to look at the flour aisle. You'll see cake flour, all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and bread flour. Not all flours are created equal for every task. You may be tempted to grab the all purpose flour so you can use it for other recipes as well, but don't do it. If you're going to make bread, get the bread flour.

When making bread, there are a few things to keep in mind. Choose a basic recipe if you've never made bread before. Plan ahead. Read through the recipe a few times to familiarize yourself with the ingredients and the process. It is important to follow the recipe exactly.

Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start. Yeast likes a warm environment. The measuring of dry and wet ingredients is of utmost importance to create a tender, tasty loaf. Pre-measure your ingredients if you find that helpful.

Follow your recipe exactly. If it says to mix the ingredients in a certain order, do it. Making bread is a science as much as an art, and if you want your loaf to turn out the same way every time, follow the directions to the letter!

When all your ingredients are mixed, it is time to knead the dough. You will need additional flour to spread on your counter and to dip your hands in so the dough doesn't stick to you or the table top. Kneading is necessary to develop the gluten in the bread dough, mix in air for rising, and distribute the ingredients so the yeast can feed.

Yes, the yeast actually feeds on the sugars in the dough, and creates a fermentation process, which enables the dough to rise properly. The biggest rookie mistake in bread-making is not kneading the dough long enough. Use a timer if you need it. You'll want to knead the bread between 8-10 minutes.

When you are done kneading, form the dough into a ball and set in a greased bowl. Cover and let rest. Your dough will need to sit for 1-2 hours to rise. Make sure your kitchen is warm to aid the rising process.

At the end of this time, you'll want to uncover the dough, punch it down, shape the dough how you want it be when you bake it, and cover it for another rising session. When it is done rising, it is time to bake. Pre-heat your oven before baking. Once your bread is done, let it cool completely before slicing.

Once you've mastered a basic bread recipe, you can make artisan breads, French bread, herbed breads, rolls, and more.

About the Author

For some yummy homemade bread recipes to get started on your first few loaves visit http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/breadrecipes.htm and start baking today.

Cooking Food Recipe

2008-02-22T15:05:00.001Z

Welcome to my new Cooking Food Recipe Blog, I will be posting articles and tips on all kinds of cooking food recipe very soon, so be sureto check back.

Thank You.

Fouzi